If you like your coleus compact, bushy, and full of vibrant color, let me introduce you to Wizard Mix, the best for bedding and containers! These seedlings will never need pinching, but will grow naturally into close-to-the-ground, beautiful little plants just waiting to show off in your shady garden and best indoor and outdoor containers.

The Wizard Mix consists of 8 varieties (with an equal amount of seed of each—what's called a "formula mix") that all reach the same size at the same time. Terrific for a large planting or for the sheer variety of houseplants, outdoor containers, and bedding combos you will enjoy. From brilliant apricot Sunset to red-veined velvet red, each of the varieties in this mix is a distinctive work of art.

Mix Includes:
Rose
Jade
Golden
Mosaic
Coral Sunrise
Sunset
Velvet Red
Scarlet

What all the Wizards do have in common is compact size—10 to 12 inches high, 8 to 10 inches wide—and neatly serrated edges, giving even an informal planting a trim, stylish look! They are just right for containers of all kinds, edging, and the front of shady beds and borders.

The Wizard Mix does best in part to full shade and moist, well-drained soil enriched with organics. (If growing in containers, give the plants a light feed every few weeks.) It shows its color early, never needs pinching to reach that bushy, symmetrical, low-growing form, and keeps its hues right through the worst summer heat and humidity. You can't go wrong with this showstopper!

Coleus germinates readily and grows eagerly. To extend the lush color into fall, remove any stray flower spikes that emerge—they take energy away from maintaining the gorgeous foliage, and the flowers are not particularly attractive. And although Wizard is a formula mix, remember that you might not get all 8 colors from every packet. The seed is mixed before it is packaged. The more you buy, the greater the chances of the widest range of varieties.

To grow Wizard mix in the garden, sow the seeds about 6 to 8 inches apart or begin them indoors in your Bio Dome or seed flat. The seeds need light to germinate, and will sprout in about 7 to 10 days. Transplant them when the seedlings have at least 2 sets of true leaves (about 8 weeks after sowing). If growing indoors for houseplants, sow at any time, and place the plants in bright, indirect sunlight.

Pkt of 40 seeds